wreck

Log This Dive

USS Schurz (Wreck)

The USS Schurz wreck is a proper time capsule, a casualty of the First World War sitting upright in 32 metres of water off North Carolina. We love diving it because it’s got that fantastic historical narrative – a German gunboat captured by the US, then sunk in a collision. You can almost feel the history clinging to the steel. The main draw here is the sheer scale and intactness of the wreck itself. You’ll see the bow pointing east, often with sand tiger sharks circling the mast structure, and the stern section where the engine room is still accessible. Penetration is possible for experienced wreck divers, revealing gauges and machinery encrusted with sponges and anemones. Visibility can range from a murky 10 metres to a glorious 25 metres on a good day, but either way, the wreck looms large. Look for schooling barracuda in the current, and always keep an eye out for larger pelagics moving past. It’s a site that suits divers comfortable with depth and overhead environments, offering a real sense of exploration. Our favourite is exploring the torpedo tubes, imagining the vessel in its former life.